Blyth Spartans have returned to the top of the league and still have a game in hand on their two nearest rivals.  On Saturday they won 4-0 at home to Mickleover Sports. Sean Reid scored twice, along with goals from Robbie Dale and Paul Robinson. On Tuesday night at home to Hyde United, Dale and Reid were again on the scoresheet, with Daniel Maguire scoring the third in a 3-0 win.

Nantwich Town are second, a point behind Blyth, after picking up four points this week. They looked on course for victory away to Colwyn Bay when Stephen Jones scored with less than 20 minutes left. However, Cory Williams earned Colwyn a point with just three minutes left to play. Nantwich bounced back in style on Tuesday night, as they thrashed bottom of the table Ramsbottom United 7-1. Matthew Kosylo scored a hat-trick, as well as goals for Lewis Short, Josh Hancock, Elliot Osborne and Jones. Samuel Grimshaw scored the visitors goal.

Buxton are fourth after a 2-0 win at home to Colwyn Bay on Tuesday. Liam Hardy and Alastair Taylor both scored just after half-time.

Salford City are in the final play-off place after a win at home to Halesowen Town. Richard Allen scored twice to give the Ammies a 2-0 lead. Daniel Bragoli then pulled a goal back for Halesowen, but Joseph Mwasile sealed a 3-1 win for Salford.

Sutton Coldfield Town are just outside the play-off places, but threw away a win at Stamford on Tuesday. Dan O’Callaghan and Mor Diop gave Sutton the lead, before Dan Clements pulled a goal back for Stamford. Malcom Melvin regained Sutton’s two goal lead, but goals in the final twenty minutes from Jordan Smith and Richard Jones saw the game end 3-3.

Stourbridge were held on Monday night at home by Grantham Town. Justin Richards gave Stourbridge the lead, before Ben Saunders levelled for Grantham.  Earlier in the week Grantham had picked up their first league victory at home to Matlock Town. Laurie Wilson gave Matlock the lead, before two goals in the last three minutes won the game for Grantham. Rhys Lewis levelled things up before Brad McGowan scored the winner in stoppage time.

Ashton United have moved into the top ten after a 2-0 victory over Frickley Athletic. Adam Morning scored after 29 minutes before Matthew Chadwick sealed the victory in injury-time.

Mickleover Sports are also in the top ten after a 2-0 win against Matlock Town, Massiah McDonald and Anthony Dwyer scoring the goals.

The final league game of the week saw Whitby Town beat Ilkeston FC 4-2. Michael Roberts scored a treble along with a David McTiernan goal for Whitby. Lindokuhle Ndlovu and Jack Blake scored for Ilkeston.

Away from the league many of the division’s sides were in FA Cup action this week, as they looked to progress to the third qualifying round.

Ashton United progressed thanks to a 5-0 win away to Abbey Hey. Dale Johnson scored a hat-trick along with goals from Aaron Burns and Joel Melia. In the next round they travel to the reformed AFC Rushden and Diamonds.

Buxton also advanced with a huge away win, 6-1, at Armthorpe Welfare. Liam Hardy scored a hat-trick, Niall Doran, Gregory Young and Glenn Belezika also scored for Buxton. However, the draw was not kind to Buxton, as in the third qualifying round they travel to FC United of Manchester.

Barwell won comfortably at home to Cogenhoe United, 5-0. Brady Hickey scored three of the goals with Edward Nisevic and Jamie Towers also on the scoresheet.  They now host King’s Lynn for a spot in the final qualifying round.

Frickley Athletic were knocked out of the competition after a 2-0 defeat at Chorley. James Dean scored both the goals for Chorley during the second half.

Following victory at Darlington in the previous round Hyde United were knocked out at home to First Division North side Northwich Victoria. The only goal of the game coming from Jordan Williams after 24 minutes.

Skelmersdale United were also knocked out by a team from the First Division North, as they fell to Bamber Bridge. Joseph Booth scored both the goals for Bamber.

Salford City shocked Conference North side Curzon Ashton to pick up their first victory of the season at Moore Lane. Matthew Warburton gave Curzon the lead after quarter of an hour, but two goals from former Manchester United player Danny Webber won the game for Salford. The Ammies face another Conference North side in the next round when they host Bradford Park Avenue.

Stourbridge progressed after victory at home to Dunkirk. Chris Lait gave Stourbridge an early lead. However, Stuart Pierpoint put through his own net to level the game up. Karl Hawley regained the lead for Stourbridge before Pierpoint scored at the right end to seal victory for the hosts 3-1.

In the next round they face fellow Evo-Stik Premier side Rushall Olympic. Rushall drew 1-1 away at Corby Town, but were able to win the replay 2-1. Jack Duggan gave Rushall the lead, before Chris Carruthers levelled for Corby. However, Duggan scored again to see the side progress to the third qualifying round.

Workington were knocked out at home to Harrogate Town, the only goal of the game coming after 85 minutes from Brendan Daniels.

Stamford were knocked out on Sunday away to Coleshill Town, Luke Barlone and Simone Cobourne the scorers for Coleshill.

Marine were pushed all the way by Northern League Washington, but were able to scrape through. The first game finished 3-3 at Marine and the replay went to extra-time.  The game had finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, but two goals from Carl Peers in extra-time including one in the 120^th minute sealed a 3-2 win for Marine. They now play at home to Evo-Stik Division One North leaders Northwich Victoria.

Next weekend Darlington return to Heritage Park to face Marine on Saturday.  Elsewhere, league leaders Blyth Spartans travel to Grantham Town.

Fixtures Saturday 3^rd October

Colwyn Bay v Stamford

Darlington v Marine

Frickley Athletic v Salford City

Grantham Town v Blyth Spartans

Halesowen Town v Whitby Town

Hyde United v Stourbridge

Ilkeston FC v Nantwich Town

Matlock Town v Ashton United

Ramsbottom United v Barwell

Rushall Olympic v Skelmersdale United

Sutton Coldfield Town v Buxton

Workington v Mickleover Sports